This is a '''timeline of Oriental Orthodoxy in India'''.<ref group="note">Several places such as Ethiopia, Arabia Felix etc. once went by the name India. One can not exclude South India any way from this India. South India in particular was known to the early Greeks and Romans. A number of Roman coins, even those of the Republican period are occasionally discovered in Malabar and other parts of South India. Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose had knowledge about the customs of the Brahmins who certainly were inhabitants of South India. Saint Ephrem, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Saint Ambrose, Gaudentius, Saint Jerome, Paulinus of Nola, several ecclesiasticl calenders, martyrologies and other works explicity connect Saint Thomas with India.</ref> [[w:Saint Thomas Christians|Thomasine Christianity]] is found in the southern Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]]. These churches trace their roots back to St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] who arrived along the [[w:Malabar Coast|Malabar Coast]] in the year AD 52.

This is a '''timeline of Oriental Orthodoxy in India'''.<ref group="note">Several places such as Ethiopia, Arabia Felix etc. once went by the name India. One can not exclude South India any way from this India. South India in particular was known to the early Greeks and Romans. A number of Roman coins, even those of the Republican period are occasionally discovered in Malabar and other parts of South India. Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose had knowledge about the customs of the Brahmins who certainly were inhabitants of South India. Saint Ephrem, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Saint Ambrose, Gaudentius, Saint Jerome, Paulinus of Nola, several ecclesiasticl calenders, martyrologies and other works explicity connect Saint Thomas with India.</ref> [[w:Saint Thomas Christians|Thomasine Christianity]] is found in the southern Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]]. These churches trace their roots back to St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] who arrived along the [[w:Malabar Coast|Malabar Coast]] in the year AD 52.

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==St. Thomas Christians (52-1498)==

==St. Thomas Christians (52-1498)==

===Ancient Era (52-431)===

===Ancient Era (52-431)===

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*40 [[Apostle Thomas]] is brought before King Gondophares, in [[w:Takshasila|Takshasila]] in North India (Pakistan); (St. Thomas preached there for some years, after which, becoming aware of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he went back to Jerusalem; on his second journey, the Apostle came to Malabar, established the Church and preached there for many years; then he went to the Coromandel Coast, where he died a martyr at Calamina (Mylapore) by the order of Masdai, king of that place).

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*40 [[Apostle Thomas]] is brought before King Gondophares, in [[w:Takshasila|Takshasila]] in North India (Pakistan).<ref group="note">St. Thomas preached there for some years, after which, becoming aware of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he went back to Jerusalem; on his second journey, the Apostle came to Malabar, established the Church and preached there for many years; then he went to the Coromandel Coast, where he died a martyr at Calamina (Mylapore) by the order of Masdai, king of that place.</ref>

*52 Arrival of St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] in '''[[w:Muziris|Muziris]]''' (near [[w:Kodungallur|Kodungalloor]])<ref group="note">The Greeks called this place Mousiris and the Jews, Muzirikode.</ref> in the Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]], founding the Church in India.

*52 Arrival of St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] in '''[[w:Muziris|Muziris]]''' (near [[w:Kodungallur|Kodungalloor]])<ref group="note">The Greeks called this place Mousiris and the Jews, Muzirikode.</ref> in the Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]], founding the Church in India.

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*52-72 St. Thomas converted and baptized many caste Hindus including thirty-two Namboori families and certain members of the royal family, Namely, Bana Varma Perumal and his nephew who later became Kepa, the first Archbishop of Kerala; St Thomas established 7 churches at: [[w:Kodungallur|Kodungalloor]]; [[w:Palayoor|Palayoor]]; [[w:North Paravur|Paravur]]; [[w:Kokkamangalam|Kokkamangalam]]; [[w:Kayalpatnam|Chayal]]; [[w:Niranam|Niranam]]; and [[w:Kollam|Kollam]]; according to a very ancient tradition, Thomas had ordained two bishops, four rambans, seven priests and twenty-one deacons - that priesthood continued in unbroken succession from generation to generation in the families of Pakalomattam and Sankarapuri; historians are of the opinion that Thomas established the early liturgy here in Aramaic (Syriac), since in those days, Greek was the chief language of the West, and Syriac, that of the East; also, on account of their close contact with the Jews, Aramaic was not unfamiliar to the Keralites.

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*52-72 St. Thomas converted and baptized many caste Hindus including thirty-two Namboori ([[w:Historical Vedic religion|Brahmin]]) families and certain members of the royal family, Namely, Bana Varma Perumal and his nephew who later became Kepa, the first Archbishop of Kerala; St Thomas established 7 churches at: [[w:Kodungallur|Kodungalloor]]; [[w:Palayoor|Palayoor]]; [[w:North Paravur|Paravur]]; [[w:Kokkamangalam|Kokkamangalam]]; [[w:Kayalpatnam|Chayal]]; [[w:Niranam|Niranam]]; and [[w:Kollam|Kollam]].<ref group="note">According to a very ancient tradition, Thomas had ordained two bishops, four rambans, seven priests and twenty-one deacons - that priesthood continued in unbroken succession from generation to generation in the families of Pakalomattam and Sankarapuri. Historians are of the opinion that Thomas established the early [[Divine Liturgy|liturgy]] here in Aramaic (Syriac), since in those days, Greek was the chief language of the West, and Syriac, that of the East; also, on account of their close contact with the Jews, Aramaic was not unfamiliar to the Keralites. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony ([[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally|Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally]]). ''[http://www.ewtn.org/library/HOMELIBR/KERALA.TXT The Kerala Church].'' Changanacherry Kerala, India.).</ref>

*72 Martyrdom of St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]], in the neighborhood of [[w:Mylapore|Mylapore]], city of [[w:Chennai|Chennai]], state of [[w:Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]].<ref group="note">The body of the Apostle was buried near the Mylapore beach where the ''San Thome Cathedral'' now stands. The relics were taken to Edessa in the third or early fourth century. When that place fell into the hands of the Mohammedans, they were moved to Island of Chios in 1141, and from there to Ortona in Italy in 1257, where they remain under the main altar of the St. Thomas Cathedral. In 1952, immediately after the “All Kerala Celebrations of the 19th Century of the Landing of St. Thomas in India,” Cardinal Tisserant brought a part of the relics back to this land; its main portion is enshrined at Kodungalloor where the Apostle first set foot in India and the other portion at Mylapore where he died.</ref>

*72 Martyrdom of St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]], in the neighborhood of [[w:Mylapore|Mylapore]], city of [[w:Chennai|Chennai]], state of [[w:Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]].<ref group="note">The body of the Apostle was buried near the Mylapore beach where the ''San Thome Cathedral'' now stands. The relics were taken to Edessa in the third or early fourth century. When that place fell into the hands of the Mohammedans, they were moved to Island of Chios in 1141, and from there to Ortona in Italy in 1257, where they remain under the main altar of the St. Thomas Cathedral. In 1952, immediately after the “All Kerala Celebrations of the 19th Century of the Landing of St. Thomas in India,” Cardinal Tisserant brought a part of the relics back to this land; its main portion is enshrined at Kodungalloor where the Apostle first set foot in India and the other portion at Mylapore where he died.</ref>

*105 Church established at [[w:Kuravilangad|Kuravilangad]] (''[http://www.stmarykuravilangad.org/ St. Mary’s Forane Church]'').

*105 Church established at [[w:Kuravilangad|Kuravilangad]] (''[http://www.stmarykuravilangad.org/ St. Mary’s Forane Church]'').

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*189 Arrival of [[w:Stoicism|Stoic]] Philosopher [[w:Pantaenus|Pantaenus]] from Alexandria, who visited the '''[[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]]'''<ref group="note">''Malankara'' is a cognate word of the place name [[w:Maliankara|Maliankara]], a place near [[w:Muziris|Muziris]], where St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] first landed, in the Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]]. It was the headquarters of the Church from the first century. The original liturgical language used in the Malankara Church was Aramaic and Hebrew; later this was replaced by Syriac.</ref> at the request of the Malankara Christians (reported by [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] and [[Jerome]]); according to Eusebius, Pantaenus was for a time a missionary preacher, traveling as far as India, where it was reported that he found Christians who were using the [[Gospel of Matthew]] in Hebrew.

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*189 Arrival of [[w:Stoicism|Stoic]] Philosopher [[w:Pantaenus|Pantaenus]] from Alexandria, who visited the '''[[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]]'''<ref group="note">''Malankara'' is a cognate word of the place name [[w:Maliankara|Maliankara]], a place near [[w:Muziris|Muziris]], where St. [[Apostle Thomas|Thomas the Apostle]] first landed, in the Indian state of [[w:Kerala|Kerala]]. It was the headquarters of the Church from the first century. The original liturgical language used in the Malankara Church was Aramaic and Hebrew; later this was replaced by Syriac.</ref> at the request of the Malankara Christians (reported by [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] and [[Jerome]]);<ref group="note">A [[w:Historical Vedic religion|Brahmin]] conjurer named Manickavachakar went around the country decrying Christianity. He was able to arouse the feelings of the Hindus against Christianity, to obstruct further spread of the religion and even to draw some converts back to Hinduism. Alarmed at this, the Kerala Christians sent a deputation to [[w:Pope Demetrius of Alexandria|Demitrius, Bishop of Alexandria]], requesting him to send a learned doctor to refute the arguments of Manickavachakar and to confirm the Christians in faith. Consequently, [[w:Pantaenus|Pantaenus]], the learned professor of the famous seminary of Alexandria, came to Kerala in 190. He defeated Manickavachakar in debate, brought back most of the apostatized to Christianity and gave a new awakening and spirit to the Kerala Church. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony ([[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally|Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally]]). ''[http://www.ewtn.org/library/HOMELIBR/KERALA.TXT The Kerala Church].'' Changanacherry Kerala, India.).</ref> according to Eusebius, Pantaenus was for a time a missionary preacher, traveling as far as India, where it was reported that he found Christians who were using the [[Gospel of Matthew]] in Hebrew.

*196 [[w:Bardaisan|Bardaisan]] writes of Christians amongst the Parthians, Bactrians (Kushans) and other peoples in the Persian Empire .

*196 [[w:Bardaisan|Bardaisan]] writes of Christians amongst the Parthians, Bactrians (Kushans) and other peoples in the Persian Empire .

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*230 Veera Raghava Chakravarthy, the King Emperor of Kerala, who had his capital at Kodungallor, granted to the Nazaranis a series of royal honors, by a proclamation engraved on [[w:Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper plate]] called "cheped."

*ca.300 Bp. [[w:David of Basra|David of Basra]] undertook missionary work in India, among the earliest documented Christian missionaries in India.

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*ca.300 Bp. [[w:David of Basra|David of Basra]] undertook missionary work in India, among the earliest documented Christian missionaries in India.<ref group="note">From the later half of the third century, the Kerala Church had relations with Persia; it seems that their Bishops came from Persia during that period. Mar John, Metropolitan of Persia and India, subscribed his name and signature to the decrees of the Synod of Nicaea in 325. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony ([[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally|Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally]]). ''[http://www.ewtn.org/library/HOMELIBR/KERALA.TXT The Kerala Church].'' Changanacherry Kerala, India.).</ref>

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*325 [[First Ecumenical Council]] in Nicaea; St. [[w:Jacob of Nisibis|Jacob of Nisibis]], Bp. of Nisibis in Mesopotamia and spiritual father of [[Ephrem the Syrian]], attended, as did Persian Bp. John (Mar Yohannan) presiding over the churches "in Persia and India".<ref group="note">At the Council of Nicea during the writing of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, Mar John, Archbishop of India in his signature to the decrees of the Council, gave his title as '''“Prelate of Metropolitan of Persia and the Bishop of Great India.”'''</ref>

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*325 [[First Ecumenical Council]] in Nicaea; St. [[w:Jacob of Nisibis|Jacob of Nisibis]], Bp. of Nisibis in Mesopotamia and spiritual father of [[Ephrem the Syrian]], attended the First Ecumenical Council, as did Persian Bp. John (Mar Yohannan) presiding over the churches "in Persia and India".<ref group="note">At the Council of Nicea during the writing of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, Mar John, Archbishop of India in his signature to the decrees of the Council, gave his title as '''“Prelate of Metropolitan of Persia and the Bishop of Great India.”'''</ref>

*409 Permission was formally given by the Zoroastrian King [[w:Yazdegerd I|Yezdegerd]] to Christians to worship openly and rebuild destroyed churches, though they were not allowed to proselytize (some historians call this decree the [[Edict of Milan]] for the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Assyrian Christian church]]).

*409 Permission was formally given by the Zoroastrian King [[w:Yazdegerd I|Yezdegerd]] to Christians to worship openly and rebuild destroyed churches, though they were not allowed to proselytize (some historians call this decree the [[Edict of Milan]] for the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Assyrian Christian church]]).

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*410 The [[w:Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon|Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon]], also called the Council of Mar Isaac, met in AD 410 in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, capitol of the Sassanid Empire of Persia, extending official recognition to the Empire's Christian community, (known as the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Church of the East]] after 431 AD), and established the Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon as its ''[[w:List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East|Catholicos]],'' or leader, declaring him to be supreme among the Bishops of the East; this established a hierarchical Christian Church in Iran, with a patriarchate at Ctesiphon and metropolitans in the capitals of five Persian provinces; it also declared its adherence to the decisions of the [[w:First Ecumenical Council|Council of Nicea]] and subscribed to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Nicene Creed]].

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*410 The '''[[w:Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon|Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon]]''', also called the Council of Mar Isaac, met in AD 410 in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, capitol of the Sassanid Empire of Persia, extending official recognition to the Empire's Christian community, (known as the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Church of the East]] after 431 AD), and established the Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon as its ''[[w:List of Patriarchs of the Church of the East|Catholicos]],'' or leader, declaring him to be supreme among the Bishops of the East; this established a hierarchical Christian Church in Iran, with a patriarchate at Ctesiphon and metropolitans in the capitals of five Persian provinces; it also declared its adherence to the decisions of the [[w:First Ecumenical Council|Council of Nicea]] and subscribed to the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|Nicene Creed]].

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*424 '''Schism begun:''' Formal separation of the '''[[Assyrian Church of the East]]''' ("East Syrian Church", "Persian Church", "Chaldean Syrian Church", or "Nestorian Church"), from the [[Church of Antioch|See of Antioch]]: the Synod of Dadyeshu met in Markabata of the Arabs, under the presidency of Mar Dadyeshu, proclaiming the independence of the Iranian Church from Byzantium, deciding that the ''Catholicos'' should be the sole head of the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Church of the East]] and that no ecclesiastical authority should be acknowledged above him, referring to him for the first time as ''Patriarch,'' answerable to God alone (thus also reassuring the Sassandid monarchy that Persian Christians were not influenced by the Roman enemy).

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*424 '''Schism begun:''' Formal separation of the '''[[Assyrian Church of the East]]''' ("East Syrian Church", "Persian Church", "Chaldean Syrian Church", or "Nestorian Church"), from the [[Church of Antioch|See of Antioch]]: the '''Synod of Dadyeshu''' met in Markabata of the Arabs, under the presidency of Mar Dadyeshu, proclaiming the independence of the Iranian Church from Byzantium, deciding that the ''Catholicos'' should be the sole head of the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Church of the East]] and that no ecclesiastical authority should be acknowledged above him, referring to him for the first time as ''Patriarch,'' answerable to God alone (thus also reassuring the Sassandid monarchy that Persian Christians were not influenced by the Roman enemy).

<blockquote>"Some western historians have made sweeping statements that at this period all the oriental churches fell into the Nestorian heresy. This, however, is entirely wrong especially with regard to the Malabar Church. About that time the Catholics of Seleucia became Nestorian and severed connection with [''the rest of''] Persia; but [''the rest of''] Persia continued in communion with the Pope. The Chaldaeans of Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia were Catholics; and they defended the Church from Nestorianism. Simeon, Bishop of the BethArsam in Persia, Bishop St. [[Isaac of Syria|Isaac of Niniveh]], Bishop Sahaduna of Garmiah and John Saba of Delaita bear witness to this fact. The Malabar Church, administered by bishops sent by the Metropolitans of Persia was preserved from heresy."</blockquote><br>

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In addition, the Wikipedia article on the [[w:Maphrian|Maphrian]] (Exarch) of the Syriac Church of Antioch (Jacobite), states that:<br><blockquote>"Even though the Church in Persia had officially accepted Nestorius as a Church father, a substantial group of Christians in Mosul, Niniveh and Tigris (Tagrit) continued to keep their loyalty to the old faith."</blockquote></ref>===

*431 The [[Third Ecumenical Council]] is held in Ephesus, condemning [[Nestorianism]].

*431 The [[Third Ecumenical Council]] is held in Ephesus, condemning [[Nestorianism]].

*ca.450-650 Nestorian missionary movements were very active: the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] headquarterd in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, had spread into Egypt, Syria, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Ceylon, China, and Mongolia.<ref group="note">Nestorius and his followers fled from persecution in the Byzantine Empire after the Council of Ephesus 431 banned him and his teachings. They migrated to Persia and from there launched one of the most significant missionary movements. By the end of the 8th century they had spread to China and from Central Asia through Afghanistan to India, probably becoming the most numerous church in the world by the 9th century. However, the Mongol invasions and the consolidation of Islam throughout these areas have now reduced this church to its present-day numbers of around 100,000.</ref>

*ca.450-650 Nestorian missionary movements were very active: the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] headquarterd in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, had spread into Egypt, Syria, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Ceylon, China, and Mongolia.<ref group="note">Nestorius and his followers fled from persecution in the Byzantine Empire after the Council of Ephesus 431 banned him and his teachings. They migrated to Persia and from there launched one of the most significant missionary movements. By the end of the 8th century they had spread to China and from Central Asia through Afghanistan to India, probably becoming the most numerous church in the world by the 9th century. However, the Mongol invasions and the consolidation of Islam throughout these areas have now reduced this church to its present-day numbers of around 100,000.</ref>

*484 The ''Catholicos-Patriarch of the Church of the East'' [[w:Babowai|Babowai]] (457–484) was executed by Sassanid king Peroz I, for his pro-Byzantine leanings, for which he was often in conflict with other members of the anti-Byzantine Church of the East (i.e. such as [[w:Barsauma|Barsauma]]).

*484 The ''Catholicos-Patriarch of the Church of the East'' [[w:Babowai|Babowai]] (457–484) was executed by Sassanid king Peroz I, for his pro-Byzantine leanings, for which he was often in conflict with other members of the anti-Byzantine Church of the East (i.e. such as [[w:Barsauma|Barsauma]]).

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*484 '''Schism finalized:''' [[w:Synod of Beth Lapat|Synod of Beth Lapat]] is convened under the Metropolitan of Nisibis [[w:Barsauma|Barsauma]], declaring [[Nestorianism]] as the official theology of the '''[[Assyrian Church of the East]]''', effectively separating the Assyrian church from the Byzantine church, pleasing the Zoroastrian Persian kings, who were at constant war with the now Christian [[Byzantine Empire]].

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*484 '''Schism finalized:''' '''[[w:Synod of Beth Lapat|Synod of Beth Lapat]]''' is convened under the Metropolitan of Nisibis [[w:Barsauma|Barsauma]], declaring [[Nestorianism]] as the official theology of the '''[[Assyrian Church of the East]]''', effectively separating the Assyrian church from the Byzantine church, pleasing the Zoroastrian Persian kings, who were at constant war with the now Christian [[Byzantine Empire]].

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*489 Emperor [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno I]] closes [[w:School of Nisibis|Nestorian academy in Edessa]], which was then transferred under Sassanian Persian auspices to Nisibis, becoming the spiritual center of the [[Assyrian Church of the East]].

*629 The Oriental Orthodox wing of the Church in Persia, that continued to be under the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the East]], was reorganized, with the creation of the position of [[w:Maphrian|Maphrian]] (Exarch) of the East, holding second rank after the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch, granting the Syrians in the Persian Empire (which was officially Nestorian) a large ecclesiastical autonomy.

*708 Death of Bp. [[w:Jacob of Edessa|Jacob of Edessa]], one of the most distinguished Syriac writers.

*708 Death of Bp. [[w:Jacob of Edessa|Jacob of Edessa]], one of the most distinguished Syriac writers.

*715 Very first [[w:Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim invasion of India]] occurred, as Umayyad general [[w:Muhammad bin Qasim|Muhammad bin Qasim]] conquered the [[w:Sindh|Sindh]] and [[w:Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] regions along the Indus river (now a part of Pakistan).

*715 Very first [[w:Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim invasion of India]] occurred, as Umayyad general [[w:Muhammad bin Qasim|Muhammad bin Qasim]] conquered the [[w:Sindh|Sindh]] and [[w:Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] regions along the Indus river (now a part of Pakistan).

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*829 The [[w:Udayamperoor|Udayamperoor]] (Diamper) church was built.

*829 The [[w:Udayamperoor|Udayamperoor]] (Diamper) church was built.

*869 [[w:Council of Capharthutha|Council of Capharthutha]] was held in February to resolve the differences between the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (Syriac Orthodox Church) and the [[w:Maphrian|Maphriyan]] (Exarch) in Persia and India; it aimed to regulate the relationship and resolve frequent difficulties arising between the two positions, codifying eight canons dealing with the Patriarch and the Maphrian of Tigris.

*869 [[w:Council of Capharthutha|Council of Capharthutha]] was held in February to resolve the differences between the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (Syriac Orthodox Church) and the [[w:Maphrian|Maphriyan]] (Exarch) in Persia and India; it aimed to regulate the relationship and resolve frequent difficulties arising between the two positions, codifying eight canons dealing with the Patriarch and the Maphrian of Tigris.

*883 King Alfred of England sent the Bishop of Marborne in 883 with offerings to the tomb of St. Thomas, to fulfill a vow he had made when the Danes attacked him.

*883 King Alfred of England sent the Bishop of Marborne in 883 with offerings to the tomb of St. Thomas, to fulfill a vow he had made when the Danes attacked him.

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*988 Since in the tenth century, it seems there was no bishop for a long time, as a result of the continued request of the Kerala Nazaranis, the Metropolitan of Mesopotamia sent a bishop named Mar John in 988, another Mar John in A.D 1000, and Mar Thomas in 1056.

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*ca. 11th c. Antioch claims to have had jurisdiction over Kerala during the eleventh and early twelfth centuries; the Greek Patriarch of Antioch is said to have sent a Catholicos to the Melkites and another to Baghdad, the latter of whom sent bishops to India.<ref group="note">Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony ([[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally|Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally]]). ''[http://www.ewtn.org/library/HOMELIBR/KERALA.TXT The Kerala Church].'' Changanacherry Kerala, India., citing:<br>Raulin, F. ''Historia Ecclesiae Malabaricae cum Synod Diamperitana.'' Rome, 1745, p. 425.</ref>

*ca.1100-1125 The [[w:Mulanthuruthy marthoman church|Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church]] is constructed, being among the ancient and famous churches of the Malankara Church and a pilgrimage center for St. Thomas Christians, containing a relic of St. Thomas, which was brought from Mosul.<ref group="note">The Mulanthuruthy church was the venue of the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 convened by the Patriarch of Antioch [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Peter III]]. Patriarch Moran Mor [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Ignatius Yakoob III]] also visited this church in 1964. And the present Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Zakka I Iwas|Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]] visited the Church twice, during 1982 and 2000.</ref>

*ca.1100-1125 The [[w:Mulanthuruthy marthoman church|Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church]] is constructed, being among the ancient and famous churches of the Malankara Church and a pilgrimage center for St. Thomas Christians, containing a relic of St. Thomas, which was brought from Mosul.<ref group="note">The Mulanthuruthy church was the venue of the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 convened by the Patriarch of Antioch [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Peter III]]. Patriarch Moran Mor [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Ignatius Yakoob III]] also visited this church in 1964. And the present Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Zakka I Iwas|Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]] visited the Church twice, during 1982 and 2000.</ref>

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*1122 Mar John III, Metropolitan designated Patriarch of India, with his suffragens went to Europe and told of miracles associated with St. Thomas that occurred in the land of India.

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*1122 Mar John III, Metropolitan designated Patriarch of India, with his suffragens went to Constantinople, and thence to Rome, telling of miracles associated with St. Thomas that occurred in the land of India.

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*1264 Bp. [[w:Bar-Hebraeus|Bar-Hebraeus]] is made Primate, or [[w:Maphrian|Maphrian]],<ref group="note">The Syriac word Maphryānā, rendered as mafriano, also Anglicized as Maphrian, literally signifying 'one who bears fruit', i.e. 'a consecrator', is used to designate the prelate who, in the Syriac Orthodox Church, holds the second rank after the patriarch among the Syriac Orthodox Christians (Miaphysitism), somewhat comparable to an Exarch.</ref> of the East by Patr. Ignatius III.

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*1264 Bp. [[w:Bar-Hebraeus|Bar-Hebraeus]] is made Primate, or [[w:Maphrian|Maphrian]],<ref group="note">The Syriac word Maphryānā, rendered as mafriano, also Anglicized as Maphrian, literally signifying 'one who bears fruit', i.e. 'a consecrator', is used to designate the prelate who, in the Syriac Orthodox Church, holds the second rank after the patriarch among the Syriac Orthodox Christians (Miaphysitism), somewhat comparable to an Exarch.</ref> of the East by Patr. Ignatius IV Yeshu (1264—1282).

'''Arrival of the Roman Catholics'''

'''Arrival of the Roman Catholics'''

*1291 Italian Franciscan missionary [[w:|John of Montecorvino]], arrives in the [[w:Chennai|Madras]] region or "Country of St. Thomas", where he preached for thirteen months and baptized about one hundred persons.

*1291 Italian Franciscan missionary [[w:|John of Montecorvino]], arrives in the [[w:Chennai|Madras]] region or "Country of St. Thomas", where he preached for thirteen months and baptized about one hundred persons.

*1329 August 9, erection of the first Roman Catholic Diocese in India, in the state of Kerala, being the [[w:Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon|Diocese of Quilon]] (or Kollam); re-erected on September 1, 1886.<ref group="note">Pope John XXII (in captivity in Avignon) erected Quilon as the first Diocese in the whole of Indies, as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia, through the decree ''Romanus Pontifix''.</ref> French Dominican friar [[w:Jordanus|Jordanus Catalani de Severac]] is appointed as the first Bishop of Quilon.

*1329 August 9, erection of the first Roman Catholic Diocese in India, in the state of Kerala, being the [[w:Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon|Diocese of Quilon]] (or Kollam); re-erected on September 1, 1886.<ref group="note">Pope John XXII (in captivity in Avignon) erected Quilon as the first Diocese in the whole of Indies, as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia, through the decree ''Romanus Pontifix''.</ref> French Dominican friar [[w:Jordanus|Jordanus Catalani de Severac]] is appointed as the first Bishop of Quilon.

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*1490 Two Chaldean bishops, John and Thomas, in Kerala.

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*1490-1503 [[Assyrian Church of the East|East Syrian]] mission to India: two Chaldean bishops, John and Thomas, in Kerala.<ref group="note">Between 1490 and 1503 the [[Assyrian Church of the East|Church of the East]] responded to the request of a mission to Mesopotamia from the East Syrian Christians of the Malabar Coast of India for bishops to be sent out to them. In 1490 two Christians from Malabar arrived in [[w:Cizre|Gazarta]] to petition the patriarch Shemʿon IV (Basidi) to consecrate a bishop for their church. Two monks of the monastery of [[w:Mar Awgin|Mar Awgin]] were consecrated bishops and were sent to India. Shemʿon IV died in 1497, to be followed by the short-reigned Shemʿon V, who died in 1502. His successor Eliya V (1502-03) consecrated three more bishops for India in April 1503. These bishops sent a report to the patriarch from India in 1504, describing the condition of the East Syrian church in India and reporting the recent arrival of the Portuguese. Eliya had already died by the time this letter arrived in Mesopotamia, and it was received by his successor, Shemʿon VI (1504–38). (''MSS Vat Syr 204a and Paris BN Syr 25'')</ref>

*1494 June 7, [[w:Treaty of Tordesillas|Treaty of Tordesillas]]: division of the world and mission lands between Spain and Portugal.

*1494 June 7, [[w:Treaty of Tordesillas|Treaty of Tordesillas]]: division of the world and mission lands between Spain and Portugal.

Line 64:

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*1517 The Portuguese discover the tomb of St. Thomas in Mylapore.

*1517 The Portuguese discover the tomb of St. Thomas in Mylapore.

*1518 The ''"Book of [[w:Duarte Barbosa|Duarte Barbosa]]"'' mentions St. Thomas and his tomb at Mylapore, narrating the legends regarding the martydom of St Thomas, also that local Christians go there on pilgrimage and carry away many relics.

*1518 The ''"Book of [[w:Duarte Barbosa|Duarte Barbosa]]"'' mentions St. Thomas and his tomb at Mylapore, narrating the legends regarding the martydom of St Thomas, also that local Christians go there on pilgrimage and carry away many relics.

*1552 '''Schism:''' a split occurred within the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], when part of it joined Rome, so that besides the ''Catholicosate of the East'' another, ''“Chaldaean,”'' Patriarchate was founded, the Uniate '''[[w:Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean Catholic Church]],''' headed by the Patriarch Mar [[w:Shimun VIII Yohannan Sulaqa|John Sulaqa]] (1553-1555); apparently both parties sent Bishops to India.

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*ca.1556 [[Assyrian Church of the East]] Catholicos, Simeon VII Denkha (Shemʿon VII Ishoyahb (1538-58)) sent a prelate to India, in the person of Mar Abraham, who was later to be the last Syrian Metropolitan of Malabar, after having gone over to the “Chaldaean” side; the Roman Catholic “Chaldaean” Patriarch Abdisho IV (1555-1567) sent Mar Joseph to Malabar as a “Chaldaean” bishop, accompanied by another “Chaldaean” bishop, Mar Eliah.

*1560 The '''[[w:Goa Inquisition|Goa Inquisition]]''' was established in the Indian state of Goa and the rest of the Portuguese empire in Asia.<ref group="note">The Inquisition was established to punish relapsed New Christians – Jews and Muslims who converted to Catholicism, as well as their descendants – who were now suspected of practicing their ancestral religion in secret; as well as to Indian converts from Hinduism or Islam, who were thought to have returned to their original ways. It was used against Indian Catholics and Hindus as an instrument of social control, as well as a method of confiscating victims' property and enriching the Inquisitors. In ''[[w:The Goa Inquisition (book)|The Goa Inquisition]],'' Indian historian Anant Priolkar provides the most comprehensive account of the Goa Inquisition held by Portuguese colonialists in Goa, India, in the 16th century, and details the wholesale massacres of Hindus, Muslims, Indian Jews and non-Catholic Indian Christians by the Portuguese inquisitors.</ref>

*1577 Vaippicotta Seminary of the Jesuits started.

*1577 Vaippicotta Seminary of the Jesuits started.

*1579 Augustinians reached Cochin.

*1579 Augustinians reached Cochin.

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*1585 In a Goan Synod it was decided to introduce the Latin liturgy and practices among the Thomas Christians.

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*1597 Mar Abraham, the last Metropolitan Archbishop appointed by the Chaldean Patriarch, died.

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*1599 June 20-June 26, The '''[[w:Synod of Diamper|Synod of Diamper]]''', convened by the Portuguese archbishop [[w:Aleixo de Menezes|Aleixo de Meneses]], issued 200 decrees, including removing the Malabarese from the jurisdiction of the Chaldean (Nestorian) patriarch, severing their direct ties with the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], and placing them under the Latin-rite Portuguese; Latinized the liturgy; decreed priestly celibacy; and introduced the [[w:Inquisition|Inquisition]]; the synod enforced severe restrictions on the faith of the Syriac Saint Thomas Christians, and the practice of using Syriac/Aramaic (Persecution of Syrian Christians).

*1606 Pope Paul V, in elevating ''San Thome of Mylapore'' to a cathedral, declared that ''“there lay buried the body of St. Thomas.”''

*1606 Pope Paul V, in elevating ''San Thome of Mylapore'' to a cathedral, declared that ''“there lay buried the body of St. Thomas.”''

*1653 January 3, [[w:Coonan Cross Oath|Coonan Cross Oath]] at [[w:Mattancherry|Mattancherry]], Cochin, by which all connections with the Portuguese Roman Catholics and Jesuits (Roman Catholic supremacy) was rejected by the St Thomas Christians; about 25,000 Saint Thomas Christians and 633 clergy led by Archdeacon Thomas declared independence against the foreign aggression, by holding on to a rope which was tied around the stone cross in front of the church in Mattancherry, and taking an oath rejecting and pubicly avowing the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church over them; Archdeacon Thomas was consecrated by 12 priest elders as [[w:Mar Thoma I|Mar Thoma I]], the first bishop of the Malankara Church.<ref group="note">Before that the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] was ruled by Malankara Mooppens (elders).</ref>

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*1653 January 3, '''[[w:Coonan Cross Oath|Coonan Cross Oath]]''' at [[w:Mattancherry|Mattancherry]], Cochin, by which all connections with the Portuguese Roman Catholics and Jesuits (Roman Catholic supremacy) was rejected by the St Thomas Christians; about 25,000 Saint Thomas Christians and 633 clergy led by Archdeacon Thomas declared independence against the foreign aggression, by holding on to a rope which was tied around the stone cross in front of the church in Mattancherry, and taking an oath rejecting and pubicly avowing the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church over them; Archdeacon Thomas was consecrated by 12 priest elders as [[w:Mar Thoma I|Mar Thoma I]], the first bishop of the Malankara Church.<ref group="note">Before that the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] was ruled by Malankara Mooppens (elders).</ref>

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*1665-1681 In India, Oriental Orthodox Metr. of Jerusalem [[w:Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel|Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel]] played a crucial role in the defense of the Oriental Orthodox faith and [[w:Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Suryani]] tradition following the [[w:Coonan Cross Oath|Koonan Kurishu Sathyam]]; ''(glorifed April 4, 2000 by His Holiness Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Zakka I Iwas|Ignatius Zakka I]] of the Syrian Orthodox Church).''

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*1653-1670 [[w:Mar Thoma I|Mar Thoma I]], also known as Valia Mar Thoma, was the first bishop of the Malankara Church.

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*1772 '''Schism:''' West Syrians under the leadership of Abraham Mar Koorilose, Metropolitan of Malankara, formed the [[w:Malabar Independent Syrian Church|Malabar Independent Syrian Church]], splitting from the main body of India's [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] over concerns about the authority of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.<ref group="note">At the close of the 19th century, some of them fell under the influence of Anglican missionaries and established the [[w:[[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thomite Church]], which introduced many doctrinal and liturgical changes of a Western Protestant character.</ref>

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*ca.1659-1663 The [[w:Dutch East India Company|Dutch East India Company]] conquered the entire Malabar Coast from the Portuguese, almost entirely driving them from the west coast of India; when news of a peace agreement between Portugal and the Netherlands reached Asia in 1663, Goa was the only remaining Portuguese city on the west coast.

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*1661 Pope [[w:Pope Alexander VII|Alexander VII]] sent Syrian Bp. Sebastiani at the head of a Carmelite delegation to Malabar, in order to establish a hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Chaldean (formerly Nestorian) rite under Rome, in order to pacify the distressed St. Thomas Christians.

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*1663 '''Schism:''' '''[[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]''' is formed, when most of the St. Thomas Christians (84 out of 116 communities) cut their ancient ties with the churches in Persia and joined the Roman Catholic Communion in 1663 AD, with the ordination of [[w:Alexander de Campo|Chandy Bishop]] (Alexander de Campo) as the first Syrian Vicar Apostolic Malpan of Malabar; this section was called the ''Old Party (Pazhayakuttukur)''; the rest of the Malankara communities (32) joined the Syrian Jacobite (Monophysite) Church, brought to Malabar in 1665 by Bishop Gregorios from Jerusalem; the [[w:Dutch East India Company|Dutch East India Company]] captures [[w:Kochi, India|Cochin]] from the Portuguese (i.e. from 1503 to 1663, Fort Kochi was ruled by Portugal).

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[[Image:MarGregorios.jpg|right|thumb|St. [[w:Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel|Gregorios Abdul Jaleel]] of Jerusalem (+1681), playing a crucial role in the defense of Oriental Orthodoxy in India.]]

*'''1665''' "Jacobite" bishop, [[w:Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel|Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel]] of Jerusalem came to India, confirming the Episcopal consecration of [[w:Mar Thoma I|Mar Thoma I]] as the head of the Orthodox Church in India; this was a new beginning in the history of the '''modern [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]];''' the Western Syrian language and Antiochene liturgy was adopted in their church; those who accepted Mar Gregory became known as the ''New Party (Puthankuttukar)''; thus started the connection with the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, in 1665.<ref group="note">The [[Church of India]] maintains that this was a spiritual connection between sister churches at first, but gradually the Syrian Patriarchs of Antioch began to exercise control and claim jurisdiction over the Indian church. Therefore again, the Indian Christians protested against foreign domination. Thus, by 1912, as a symbol of freedom, autocephaly and apostolic identity were declared, the ''Catholicosate'' was established, and an Indian Orthodox Metropolitan was elected as the head (Catholicos) of the Malankara Church. Another group continued to maintain allegiance to the patriarchal claims and therefore litigation in courts occurred.</ref>

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*1670-1686 [[w:Mar Thoma II|Mar Thoma II]]

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*1686-1688 [[w:Mar Thoma III|Mar Thoma III]]

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*1688-1728 [[w:Mar Thoma IV|Mar Thoma IV]]; during his period the Church passed through a number of persecutions.

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*1728-1765 [[w:Mar Thoma V|Mar Thoma V]]; during his tenure a number of Bps. from Antioch arrived.

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*1748 Mar Ivanios a Bp. from Antioch arrived; he lived in the Mulanthuruthy Church and taught Syriac to the Deacons; his teachings were unacceptable to the Malankara Church and so in 1751 he was banished from Kerala; before leaving for Antioch, Mar Ivanios ordained Kattumangattu Abraham and Geevarghese as priests, who later became the founding fathers of [[w:Malabar Independent Syrian Church|Malabar Independent Syrian Church]] in 1772.

*1761 Mar Thoma V consecrated Mar Thoma VI as his successor; he did it without any assistance from foreign Bishops thus severing all allegiance to foreign bishops.

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*1765-1808 [[w:Mar Thoma VI|Mar Thoma VI]] '''(Dionysious I)'''.<ref group="note">When a Bishop of the Malankara Church was consecrated by a Bishop of another church he was given the episcopal title ''' ''Dionysious'' '''.<br>

Dionysious V, VI - were consecrated by [[w:List of Syriac Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch|Patriarch of Antioch]].</ref>

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*1770 To avoid a split in the Church [[w:Mar Thoma VI|Mar Thoma VI]] accepted re-consecration and the title ''' ''Dionysius'' ''' from Antiochan bishops.

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*1772 '''Schism:''' West Syrians under the leadership of Abraham Mar Koorilose, Metropolitan of Malankara, formed the '''[[w:Malabar Independent Syrian Church|Malabar Independent Syrian Church]]''', splitting from the main body of India's [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] over concerns about the authority of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.<ref group="note">At the close of the 19th century, some of them fell under the influence of Anglican missionaries and established the [[w:[[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thomite Church]], which introduced many doctrinal and liturgical changes of a Western Protestant character.</ref>

*1772-1858 The [[w:British East India Company| British East India Company]] [[w:Company rule in India|rule in India]], establishing a capital in Calcutta, appointing its first Governor-General, Warren Hastings, and becoming directly involved in governance.

*1772-1858 The [[w:British East India Company| British East India Company]] [[w:Company rule in India|rule in India]], establishing a capital in Calcutta, appointing its first Governor-General, Warren Hastings, and becoming directly involved in governance.

*1795 The British captured Malabar, Kerala.

*1795 The British captured Malabar, Kerala.

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*1806 The Marquis of Wellesley, the British [[w:Governor-General of India|Governor General of India]], Cecil Cherian, sent the Rev. [[w:Claudius Buchanan|Claudius Buchanan]], an Anglican priest, to conduct research into the life of the ancient Church of St.Thomas in India.

*1806 The Marquis of Wellesley, the British [[w:Governor-General of India|Governor General of India]], Cecil Cherian, sent the Rev. [[w:Claudius Buchanan|Claudius Buchanan]], an Anglican priest, to conduct research into the life of the ancient Church of St.Thomas in India; Rev. Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited [[w:Mar Thoma VI|Mar Thoma VI]] and made arrangement for the translation of the Bible into Malayalam - Marthoma VI gave him the manuscript of the Bible written in the oldest Syrian, and this manuscript was later deposited in the public library of the University of Cambridge.

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*1808-1809 [[w:Mar Thoma VII|Mar Thoma VII]].

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*1809-1816 [[w:Mar Thoma VIII|Mar Thoma VIII]]; he was a man of vision, and it was during his tenure that the Malankara church opened the first formal educational institution, in Kerala.

'''Arrival of the Protestants - Further Splits (1813-1912)'''

'''Arrival of the Protestants - Further Splits (1813-1912)'''

*1813 The [[w:Church Mission Society|Church Missionary Society]]'s (CMS) work in India is begun.

*1813 The [[w:Church Mission Society|Church Missionary Society]]'s (CMS) work in India is begun.

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*1814 '''Schism:''' The [[w:Chaldean Syrian Church|Chaldean Syrian Church]] separated from what later became known as the [[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], claiming to continue the pre-Portuguese east-Syrian [[Assyrian Church of the East|Nestorian tradition]], as an Independent Orthodox Church.

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*1814 '''Schism:''' The '''[[w:Chaldean Syrian Church|Chaldean Syrian Church]]''' separated from what later became known as the [[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], claiming to continue the pre-Portuguese east-Syrian [[Assyrian Church of the East|Nestorian tradition]], as an Independent Orthodox Church.

*1815 [[w:Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary|Orthodox Pazhaya Seminary]] (Old Syrian Seminary) in Kottayam, is founded, the first Syrian Orthodox Christian school of theology in Asia.

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*1816-1817 [[w:Mar Thoma IX|Mar Thoma IX]].

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*1816-1816 [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X)|Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X)]] ('''Dionysious II'''), was the Metropolitan only for nine months, but he made lasting contributions to the Malankara church; he was able to keep up the traditions, improve the knowledge of the people and decree that the assets of the Metropolitan would be assets of the Church; with him, the reign of ''' ''Marthoma Metran'' ''' came to an end, and the power was transferred to the ''' ''Malankara Metropolitan.'' '''

*1825 The Church of England's Bp. of Calcutta [[w:Reginald Heber|Reginald Heber]] performed the first ordination of an Indian, Abdul Masih ''(Servant of Christ)'', for mission work in India.<ref group="note">The very first Anglican ordination was a native of [[w:Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], ordained for work in Ceylon (Sri Lanka); the second, Abdul Masih, was therefore the first Indian ordained for work in India.</ref>

*1825 The Church of England's Bp. of Calcutta [[w:Reginald Heber|Reginald Heber]] performed the first ordination of an Indian, Abdul Masih ''(Servant of Christ)'', for mission work in India.<ref group="note">The very first Anglican ordination was a native of [[w:Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], ordained for work in Ceylon (Sri Lanka); the second, Abdul Masih, was therefore the first Indian ordained for work in India.</ref>

*1852-1877 [[w:Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan|Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (''Mar Thoma XIII'')]], a pro-protestant reformist; during his time Reformation of the Church became strong; one cleric who objected to the Reformation (Ouseph Kathanar from Kunnamkulam) went to Antioch, and was consecrated as Joseph Mar Dionysius on April 3, 1865; Mathews Mar Athanasius' successor was one [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasius]] (''Mar Thoma XIV'') (1877-1893), the first Metropolitan of the schismatic [[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thoma church]] in 1877, a Reformed West-Syrian Rite (Protestant Oriental) church, in communion with the Anglican Church.

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*1876 The [[w:Mulanthuruthy_marthoman_church#Synod_of_Mulanthuruthy|Council of Mulanthuruthy]] (of the Malankara Church) is convened at the historic [[w:Mulanthuruthy marthoman church|Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church]], presided over by Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter IV]] (who had been summoned to assist in efforts against the inroads of Protestantism that were supported by the British), declaring that the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] accepted the supremacy of the Patriarch and that it would keep the Jacobite faith of the Antiochians; this synod thus represented the inauguration of an official relationship of a section of the Indian Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|West Syrian Church]]; another section however representing several churches did not participate, saying that this was against the historical status of the Malankara Church.<ref group="note">Two strong groups were in the church at this time: the one owed allegiance to Metropolitan [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasius]] (1877-1893), and supported independence and purification of the church (the ''Metran Kakshi'' faction); the other under the control of [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II]] (1865-1909), spearheaded Orthodoxy and subservience to the Patriarch of Antioch (the ''Bava Kakshi.'' faction).<br>In 1877 Metropolitan [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasius]] thus became the first Metropolitan of the new [[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thoma Church]] (1877-1893), a group that split from the Malankara Church and was originally known as "Reformed Jacobites", of the West Syrian Rite (i.e. Protestant Oriental, in communion with the Anglican Church).</ref>

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*1865-1909 [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II]] ('''Dionysius V'''), a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult times in the history of Malankara Church.

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*1876 '''Schism:''' the [[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thoma Church]]<ref group="note">Mar Thoma or Marthoma is Aramaic, meaning Saint Thomas. Members of this church are often referred to as Marthomites.</ref> (Anglican Communion) came into being under [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasious]], who was excommunicated by the Jacobite Patriarch; they were known as Reformed Jacobites before the group took the name of Mar Thoma Church, introducing many changes based on Protestant doctrine.

*1888 Significant transfer movement from the Catholic to the Oriental Orthodox church: the Latin rite [[Brahmavar (Goan) Orthodox Church|Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon, Goa, and India]] was formed, consisting of about 5000 Catholics under [[w:Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares|Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares]] (Mar Julius I), who was consecrated in 1889 by St. [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gregorios of Parumala]], Metr. Athanasius Paulos of Aluva, and Malankara Metr. [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Dionysius Joseph II]]; this church maintained relations with the Syrian Orthodox Patr. of Antioch Mar [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter III]], and was permitted to continue its Latin or Western rite liturgical practices.<ref group="note"> The reasons for this break with the papacy were political rather then religious. From the sixteenth century there had existed a concordat between the Holy See and the King of Portugal which allowed the latter to nominate Bishops to the diocese of Latin Rite India, as well as other colonies which had formally been Portuguese colonies. The arrangement was known as the [[w:Padroado|Patrondo]] (Patronage). By the second half of the nineteenth century it had become obvious that it was high time for Patrondo to be abolished.</ref><ref group="note">"On January 2, 1887, [[w:Pope Leo XIII|Pope Leo XIII]] set up a new Latin hierarchy for India and Ceylon, with the bishops (except for the province of (Goa) directly dependent on the [[w:Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples|Congregation of Propaganda]]. This change aroused considerable indignation because there still existed strong sentimental link between Indian Catholics and Portugal. Many native priests were indignant at being transferred to jurisdictions of French or Italian bishops.<br>Thus came into being what was called the '[[w:Padroado|Patrando]] Association'. Its leaders petitioned King Luis I of Portugal, to use his influence at Rome to have [[w:Padroado|the royal patronage]] restored. On February 10, 1888, a Goan priest, who had been a Brahmin, [[w:Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares|Antonio Francisco-Xavier Alvarez]], was elected by the Association as first bishop of the schismatic church. He applied to [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Mar Dionysios V]], Jacobite Metropolitan of Malankara since 1865, to consecrate him, but with no result. His appeal to Mar [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter III]], Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch was more successful." (Old Catholic Church of the United States. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=RzWpW9eoID8C&source=gbs_navlinks_s Credo: The Catechism of the Old Catholic Church].'' iUniverse, 2004. p.391.)</ref>

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*1876 The '''[[w:Mulanthuruthy_marthoman_church#Synod_of_Mulanthuruthy|Council of Mulanthuruthy]]''' (of the Malankara Church) is convened at the historic [[w:Mulanthuruthy marthoman church|Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church]], presided over by Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter IV]] (who had been summoned to assist in efforts against the inroads of Protestantism that were supported by the British), declaring that the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] accepted the supremacy of the Patriarch and that it would keep the Jacobite faith of the Antiochians; this synod thus represented the inauguration of an official relationship of a section of the Indian Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|West Syrian Church]]; another section however representing several churches did not participate, saying that this was against the historical status of the Malankara Church.<ref group="note">Two strong groups were in the church at this time: the one owed allegiance to Metropolitan [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasius]] (1877-1893), and supported independence and purification of the church (the ''Metran Kakshi'' faction); the other under the control of [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II]] (1865-1909), spearheaded Orthodoxy and subservience to the Patriarch of Antioch (the ''Bava Kakshi.'' faction).<br>In 1877 Metropolitan [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasius]] thus became the first Metropolitan of the new [[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thoma Church]] (1877-1893), a group that split from the Malankara Church and was originally known as "Reformed Jacobites", of the West Syrian Rite (i.e. Protestant Oriental, in communion with the Anglican Church).</ref>

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[[Image:ParumalaThirumeni.jpg|right|thumb|[[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]], the first Saint of both Oriental Orthodox Churches in India.]]

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*1876 '''Schism:''' the '''[[w:Mar Thoma Church|Mar Thoma Church]]'''<ref group="note">Mar Thoma or Marthoma is Aramaic, meaning Saint Thomas. Members of this church are often referred to as Marthomites.</ref> (Anglican Communion) came into being under [[w:Thomas Mar Athanasius|Thomas Mar Athanasious]], who was excommunicated by the Jacobite Patriarch; they were known as Reformed Jacobites before the group took the name of Mar Thoma Church, introducing many changes based on Protestant doctrine.

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*1888 Significant transfer movement from the Catholic to the Oriental Orthodox church: the Latin rite (Uniate) [[Brahmavar (Goan) Orthodox Church|Independent Catholic Church of Ceylon, Goa, and India]] was formed, consisting of about 5000 Catholics under [[Julius of Goa|Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares]] (Alvares Mar Julius), who was consecrated in 1889 by St. [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gregorios of Parumala]], Metr. Athanasius Paulos of Aluva, and Malankara Metr. [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Dionysius Joseph II]]; this church maintained relations with the Syrian Orthodox Patr. of Antioch Mar [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter III]], and was permitted to continue its Latin or Western rite liturgical practices.<ref group="note"> The reasons for this break with the papacy were political rather then religious. From the sixteenth century there had existed a concordat between the Holy See and the King of Portugal which allowed the latter to nominate Bishops to the diocese of Latin Rite India, as well as other colonies which had formally been Portuguese colonies. The arrangement was known as the [[w:Padroado|Patrondo]] (Patronage). By the second half of the nineteenth century it had become obvious that it was high time for Patrondo to be abolished.</ref><ref group="note">"On January 2, 1887, [[w:Pope Leo XIII|Pope Leo XIII]] set up a new Latin hierarchy for India and Ceylon, with the bishops (except for the province of (Goa) directly dependent on the [[w:Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples|Congregation of Propaganda]]. This change aroused considerable indignation because there still existed strong sentimental link between Indian Catholics and Portugal. Many native priests were indignant at being transferred to jurisdictions of French or Italian bishops.<br>Thus came into being what was called the '[[w:Padroado|Patrando]] Association'. Its leaders petitioned King Luis I of Portugal, to use his influence at Rome to have [[w:Padroado|the royal patronage]] restored. On February 10, 1888, a Goan priest, who had been a Brahmin, [[w:Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares|Antonio Francisco-Xavier Alvarez]], was elected by the Association as first bishop of the schismatic church. He applied to [[w:Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II|Mar Dionysios V]], Jacobite Metropolitan of Malankara since 1865, to consecrate him, but with no result. His appeal to Mar [[w:Ignatius Peter IV|Ignatius Peter III]], Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch was more successful." (Old Catholic Church of the United States. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=RzWpW9eoID8C&source=gbs_navlinks_s Credo: The Catechism of the Old Catholic Church].'' iUniverse, 2004. p.391.)</ref>

*1902 Death of [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]], later canonized by both the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]] and [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] (1947), being the first Saint of both Oriental Orthodox Churches in India.

*1902 Death of [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]], later canonized by both the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]] and [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] (1947), being the first Saint of both Oriental Orthodox Churches in India.

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*1909-1934 [[w:Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril|Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril]] ('''Dionysius VI'''); he led the Church as Malankara Metropolitan until his death in 1934, when he and the Church triumphed in establishing the official Constitution of the [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]].

*1910 Formation of the Archdiocese of [[w:Knanaya|Knanaya]], of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syrian Orthodox Church]].

*1910 Formation of the Archdiocese of [[w:Knanaya|Knanaya]], of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syrian Orthodox Church]].

==Modern Era (1912-Present)==

==Modern Era (1912-Present)==

===Indian Orthodox Church: Autocephalous Era (1912-Present)===

===Indian Orthodox Church: Autocephalous Era (1912-Present)===

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*1912 '''Schism:''' [[Church of India]] ''('Methran Kakshi' (Bishop's Party))'' declares [[autocephaly]] from the Jacobite [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)]], after a vertical split in the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] in 1911;<ref group="note">Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abded Aloho II|Ignatius Abded Aloho II]] (1906-1915) had deposed Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Ignatius Abdul Masih II]] (1895-1905) and usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch from him. In 1911 Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho (Mar Abdulla) came to Malankara, and excommunicated Malankara Metropolitan Vattasseril Mar Divannasios. To ward off the undue interference of Patriarch Abdulla in the administration of the Indian Church, [[w:Geevarghese Mar Ivanios|Fr. P.T. Geevarghese]] with the blessing of Vattasseril Mar Divannasios, contacted Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Abded M’siha]], the Patriarch of Antioch from whom Mar Abdulla usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch, and invited him to visit Malankara and to establish a Catholicate there. This created a split in the church in 1912, into the two groups, with some claiming that the relocation of the Catholicate to India was without authority from the Universal Syriac Orthodox Synod, thus causing the century long dispute in the Malankara Church. (See 1958).</ref> with the declaration of autocephaly, the the [[w:Catholicos of the East|Catholicate of the East]] was relocated to India, which historically had been in Seleucia and later in Tigris; consecration of the first Indian Catholicose, [[w:Baselios Paulose I|Moran Mar Baselios Paulos]] (1912-14), the first ''Catholicose of the East'' in India, with the participation of ''(deposed)'' Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Ignatius Abdul Messiah of Antioch]] and ''(excommunicated)'' Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Dionysius (Vattasseril Mar Divannasios);<ref group="note">The [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] view is that the [[w:Catholicos of the East (disambiguation)|Catholicate of the East]] is autocephalous and in the legitimate succession of [[Apostle Thomas|St. Thomas]] the Apostle, citing use of the term "[[w:Throne of St. Thomas|Throne of St. Thomas]]" in documents since at least 1301 AD, and that this was a period of religious turmoil where the Patriarch of Antioch interfered and suspended the Malankara Metropolitan, demanding complete surrender, leading to this event; two factions thus emerge from the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] (Indian Oriental Orthodoxy): the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''(Patriarchal, "Jacobite", or Bava Faction)'' and [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] ''(Catholicos, or Methran Faction).''</ref> the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''('Bava Kakshi' (Patriarch's Party))'' on the other hand, remained as an autonomous jurisdiction of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)]].

+

*1912 '''Schism:''' [[Church of India]] ''('Methran Kakshi' (Bishop's Party))'' declares [[autocephaly]] from the Jacobite [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)]], after a vertical split in the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] in 1911;<ref group="note">Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abded Aloho II|Ignatius Abded Aloho II]] (1906-1915) had deposed Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Ignatius Abdul Masih II]] (1895-1905) and usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch from him. In 1911 Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho (Mar Abdulla) came to Malankara, and excommunicated Malankara Metropolitan Vattasseril Mar Divannasios. To ward off the undue interference of Patriarch Abdulla in the administration of the Indian Church, [[w:Geevarghese Mar Ivanios|Fr. P.T. Geevarghese]] with the blessing of Vattasseril Mar Divannasios, contacted Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Abded M’siha]], the Patriarch of Antioch from whom Mar Abdulla usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch, and invited him to visit Malankara and to establish a Catholicate there. This created a split in the church in 1912, into the two groups, with some claiming that the relocation of the Catholicate to India was without authority from the Universal Syriac Orthodox Synod, thus causing the century long dispute in the Malankara Church. (See 1958).</ref> with the declaration of autocephaly, the the [[w:Catholicos of the East|Catholicate of the East]] was relocated to India, which historically had been in Seleucia and later in Tigris; consecration of the first Indian Catholicose, [[w:Baselios Paulose I|Moran Mar Baselios Paulos]] (1912-14), the first ''' ''Catholicose of the East'' ''' in India, with the participation of ''(deposed)'' Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Abdul Masih II|Ignatius Abdul Messiah of Antioch]] and ''(excommunicated)'' Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Dionysius (Vattasseril Mar Divannasios);<ref group="note">The [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] view is that the [[w:Catholicos of the East (disambiguation)|Catholicate of the East]] is autocephalous and in the legitimate succession of [[Apostle Thomas|St. Thomas]] the Apostle, citing use of the term "[[w:Throne of St. Thomas|Throne of St. Thomas]]" in documents since at least 1301 AD, and that this was a period of religious turmoil where the Patriarch of Antioch interfered and suspended the Malankara Metropolitan, demanding complete surrender, leading to this event; two factions thus emerge from the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] (Indian Oriental Orthodoxy): the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''(Patriarchal, "Jacobite", or Bava Faction)'' and [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] ''(Catholicos, or Methran Faction).''</ref> the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''('Bava Kakshi' (Patriarch's Party))'' on the other hand, remained as an autonomous jurisdiction of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)]].

*1929-1964 [[w:Baselios Geevarghese II|Baselios Geevarghese II]], the 3rd ''Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan'' (''had both titles, after 1934'').

*ca.1930's Roman Catholic [[w:Vellalar|Vellalar]] Christians ([[w:Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]]) separated themselves temporarily from their church because of caste quarells, and employed Orthodox West Syrian Indian Priests from [[w:Kerala|Kerala]] to conduct their worship services.

*ca.1930's Roman Catholic [[w:Vellalar|Vellalar]] Christians ([[w:Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]]) separated themselves temporarily from their church because of caste quarells, and employed Orthodox West Syrian Indian Priests from [[w:Kerala|Kerala]] to conduct their worship services.

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*1930 '''Schism:''' The [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] is established as an Eastern rite of the Roman Catholic Church, when a large group of Jacobites under the leadership of Archbishop [[w:Geevarghese Mar Ivanios|Mar Ivanios]] split from the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] and subsequently entered into communion with Rome; they were allowed to maintain their Antiochene liturgy.

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*1930 '''Schism:''' The [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] is established as an Eastern rite of the Roman Catholic Church, when a large group of Jacobites under the leadership of Archbishop [[w:Geevarghese Mar Ivanios|Mar Ivanios]] split from the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] and subsequently entered into communion with Rome; they were allowed to maintain their Antiochene liturgy; death of Metr. [[Eustathius of Kunnamkulam]] (''glorified in 2000'').

*1931 Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Elias III|Elias III]] came to Malankara at the invitation of the then British Viceroy, Lord Irvin, to resolving the schism that had erupted in the Malankara Church; the [[w:Thrikkunnathu Seminary|Thrikkunnathu Seminary]] is opened (operating from 1931-1977), being a notable Malankara teaching facility for clergy in the northern dioceses of the Indian Orthodox Church, and the only full seminary for Jacobite Syrian Christians (later noted as the "headquarters" of the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Christian Church]] in India).

*1931 Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Elias III|Elias III]] came to Malankara at the invitation of the then British Viceroy, Lord Irvin, to resolving the schism that had erupted in the Malankara Church; the [[w:Thrikkunnathu Seminary|Thrikkunnathu Seminary]] is opened (operating from 1931-1977), being a notable Malankara teaching facility for clergy in the northern dioceses of the Indian Orthodox Church, and the only full seminary for Jacobite Syrian Christians (later noted as the "headquarters" of the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Christian Church]] in India).

*1932 Death of Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Elias III|Elias III]], the only Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch who is entombed in Kerala, India; the monastery where he is entombed is a renowned pilgrim centre, known as [[w:Manjanikkara Dayara|Manjanikkara Dayara]].

*1932 Death of Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Elias III|Elias III]], the only Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch who is entombed in Kerala, India; the monastery where he is entombed is a renowned pilgrim centre, known as [[w:Manjanikkara Dayara|Manjanikkara Dayara]].

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*1934 Establishment of the Constitution of the Orthodox Church in India as an autocephalous Church, linked to the Orthodox Syrian Church of the Patriarch of Antioch; death of [[w:Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril|Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril]], Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church.

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*1934 Establishment of the '''Constitution of the Orthodox Church in India''' as an autocephalous Church, linked to the Orthodox Syrian Church of the Patriarch of Antioch; death of [[w:Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril|Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril]], Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church; from 1934 onwards, the two offices of ''Catholicos of the East'' and ''Malankara Metropolitan'' were united in one person, known as the ''' ''Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan.'' '''

*1947 Canonization of [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]] (+1902) by the [[Church of India]], the first saint canonized by the church; canonization of [[w:Eldho Mor Baselios|Eldho Mor Baselios]] of Kothamangalam (+1685) by the [[Church of India]], the second saint canonized by the church.

*1947 Canonization of [[w:Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala|Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala]] (+1902) by the [[Church of India]], the first saint canonized by the church; canonization of [[w:Eldho Mor Baselios|Eldho Mor Baselios]] of Kothamangalam (+1685) by the [[Church of India]], the second saint canonized by the church.

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*1947 The [[w:Union of India|Dominion of India]] gains its independence from the United Kingdom, as British India is dissolved; a largely Hindu India and a Muslim Pakistan are created by partitions of the subcontinent, with Punjab and Bengal divided along religious-demographic boundaries between the two.[[Image:Stthomas-stamp.jpg|right|thumb|St. Thomas Stamp Issue by the Govt of India (1964).]]

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*1947 The [[w:Union of India|Dominion of India]] gains its independence from the United Kingdom, as British India is dissolved; a largely Hindu India and a Muslim Pakistan are created by partitions of the subcontinent, with Punjab and Bengal divided along religious-demographic boundaries between the two.[[Image:Stthomas-stamp.jpg|right|thumb|St. Thomas Stamp Issue by the Govt of India (1964).]][[Image:19thDCent StThomas.jpg|right|thumb|Stamp Issue by the Gov't of India comemmorating the 1900th anniversary of St. Thomas' martyrdom (72-1972).]]

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*1952 Immediately after the ''"All Kerala Celebrations of the 19th Century of the Landing of St. Thomas in India,"'' [[w:Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Tisserant|Cardinal Tisserant]] brought a part of St. Thomas' relics back to India, with the main portion enshrined at Kodungalloor where the Apostle first set foot in India, and the other portion at Mylapore where he died.

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*1956 Ethiopian Emperor [[w:Haile Selassie I|Haile Selassie]] visited Kerala, gifting the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. George ("[http://www.cheppadvaliyapalli.com/ Cheppad Church]") with a Gold Ethiopian Cross and a Holy Bible with gold engravings written in Amharic.

*1958 '''Unification''' of the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] again (lasting from 1958-1975), after the split in 1912: on September 12, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India recognized the validity of the Catholicate and unanimously declared that the Patriarch of Antioch does not have any authority over the Malankara church and that the Indian church is completely free under the [[w:List of Catholicos of the East|Catholicos of the East]]; by an accord, Syrian Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III]] affirmed his canonical acceptance of the Catholicate as well as the 1934 Constitution of the Indian Orthodox Church; the two factions of the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]], viz; [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite]] and [[Church of India|Orthodox]], re-united.

*1958 '''Unification''' of the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]] again (lasting from 1958-1975), after the split in 1912: on September 12, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India recognized the validity of the Catholicate and unanimously declared that the Patriarch of Antioch does not have any authority over the Malankara church and that the Indian church is completely free under the [[w:List of Catholicos of the East|Catholicos of the East]]; by an accord, Syrian Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III]] affirmed his canonical acceptance of the Catholicate as well as the 1934 Constitution of the Indian Orthodox Church; the two factions of the [[w:Malankara Church|Malankara Church]], viz; [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite]] and [[Church of India|Orthodox]], re-united.

*1964 Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III]] visited India and consecrated [[w:Baselios Augen I|Mor Augen Thimotheos]] as the Catholicose of the East; thus 'Mar Baselios Augen I', the Metropolitan of Kandanad diocese, became the first “canonically” ordained Catholicose/Maphriyono of the East from India ''(from the Jacobite point of view)''; the government of India brought out a stamp of St. Thomas, in connection with the Bombay International Eucharistic Congress and the visit of Pope Paul VI to India in 1964.

*1964 Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III]] visited India and consecrated [[w:Baselios Augen I|Mor Augen Thimotheos]] as the Catholicose of the East; thus 'Mar Baselios Augen I', the Metropolitan of Kandanad diocese, became the first “canonically” ordained Catholicose/Maphriyono of the East from India ''(from the Jacobite point of view)''; the government of India brought out a stamp of St. Thomas, in connection with the Bombay International Eucharistic Congress and the visit of Pope Paul VI to India in 1964.

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*1964-1975 [[w:Baselios Augen I|Baselios Augen I]], was the first ''Catholicose of the East'' of the United Malankara Church ([[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church]] and [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]]), and remained as the Catholicose of the [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] after the second split in the church in 1975.

*1965 The [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] participated in the Ecumenical Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches held in Addis Ababa.

*1965 The [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]] participated in the Ecumenical Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches held in Addis Ababa.

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*1969 The [[w:Carmelites of Mary Immaculate|Carmelites of Mary Immaculate]] (CMI) founded [[w:Christ University|Christ University]] in Bangalore, the first University by the Roman Catholic Church in India.[[Image:19thDCent StThomas.jpg|right|thumb|Stamp Issue by the Gov't of India comemmorating the 1900th anniversary of St. Thomas' martyrdom (72-1972).]]

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*1969 The [[w:Carmelites of Mary Immaculate|Carmelites of Mary Immaculate]] (CMI) founded [[w:Christ University|Christ University]] in Bangalore, the first University by the Roman Catholic Church in India.

*1972 The new Catholicos [[w:Baselios Augen I|Augen I]] began to claim that he is seated on the [[w:Throne of St. Thomas|Throne of St. Thomas]], insisting that the [[w:Malankara Church|Church in Malankara]] is autocephalous.

*1972 The new Catholicos [[w:Baselios Augen I|Augen I]] began to claim that he is seated on the [[w:Throne of St. Thomas|Throne of St. Thomas]], insisting that the [[w:Malankara Church|Church in Malankara]] is autocephalous.

*1973 Government of India brings out a "19th Death Centenary" stamp of St. Thomas (72-1972).

*1973 Government of India brings out a "19th Death Centenary" stamp of St. Thomas (72-1972).

*1975 '''Schism:''' the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''(Patriarchal, "Jacobite", or Bava Faction)'' and the [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] (Indian Orthodox Church) ''(Catholicos, or Methran Faction)'' split again: a Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church excommunicated the Catholicos and his followers, while the Catholicos and the Metropolitans convened their own Synod separately, and cut off connections with the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Patriarch of Antioch]] (Syriac); on September 7, 1975, Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Yakub III]] consecrated Mor Philoxenus of Kandanad ([[w:Baselios Paulose II|Baselios Paulose II]]) as Catholicos of the East for the Jacobite faction (1975-1996); the Church of India consecrated [[w:Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I|Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I]] as the new Catholicos (1975-1991).

*1975 '''Schism:''' the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] ''(Patriarchal, "Jacobite", or Bava Faction)'' and the [[Church of India|Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] (Indian Orthodox Church) ''(Catholicos, or Methran Faction)'' split again: a Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church excommunicated the Catholicos and his followers, while the Catholicos and the Metropolitans convened their own Synod separately, and cut off connections with the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Patriarch of Antioch]] (Syriac); on September 7, 1975, Patriarch [[w:Ignatius Ya`qub III|Yakub III]] consecrated Mor Philoxenus of Kandanad ([[w:Baselios Paulose II|Baselios Paulose II]]) as Catholicos of the East for the Jacobite faction (1975-1996); the Church of India consecrated [[w:Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I|Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I]] as the new Catholicos (1975-1991).

*1977 The [[w:Thrikkunnathu Seminary|Thrikkunnathu Seminary]] and its Saint Mary’s Church building were closed in December, owing to an ownership dispute between the [[Church of India|Indian (Malankara) Orthodox]] and the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Christian Church]].

*1977 The [[w:Thrikkunnathu Seminary|Thrikkunnathu Seminary]] and its Saint Mary’s Church building were closed in December, owing to an ownership dispute between the [[Church of India|Indian (Malankara) Orthodox]] and the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Syrian Christian Church]].

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*1995 June 20, the Supreme Court of India unequivocally declared that "The Patriarch of Antioch was undoubtedly acknowledged and recognised by all the members of the Malankara Church as the supreme head of their Church", implying that the [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Catholicate]] is part of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syriac Orthodox Church]] and is not autocephalous.

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*1980 Greek [[hieromonk|priest-monk]] Fr. [[Athanasios Anthides]] travelled to India to begin a systematic Orthodox Mission in the rural area of [[w:Arambag|Arambah]], in [[w:West Bengal|West Bengal]] state, in eastern India..

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*1996 September 25, the [[w:Nagpur St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary|Nagpur St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary]] was officially inaugurated by H.G. Dr. [[w:Geevarghese Mar Osthathios|Geevarghese Mar Osthathios]], the President of the Mission Board of the Malankara Church, in the presence of H.G. Stephanus Mar Theodosius and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanius (Kottayam).

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*1990 Death of Fr. Athanasios Anthides, first Greek Orthodox Missionary to India (1980-1990), suceeded a year later by priest-monk Fr. [[Ignatios (Sennis) of Madagascar|Ignatios Sennis]], who came to [[w:Kolkata|Calcutta]] to continue the mission (1991-2004).

*1995 June 20, the Supreme Court of India unequivocally declared that "The Patriarch of Antioch was undoubtedly acknowledged and recognised by all the members of the Malankara Church as the supreme head of their Church", implying that the [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Catholicate]] is part of the [[Church of Antioch (Syriac)|Syriac Orthodox Church]] and is not autocephalous.[[Image:Bavacatholicos.jpg|right|thumb|[[Baselios Didymos I|Baselius Marthoma Didymus I]], Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan, [[Church of India]], [2005-Present].]]

*1996 September 25, the [[w:Nagpur St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary|Nagpur St. Thomas Orthodox Theological Seminary]] was officially inaugurated by H.G. Dr. [[w:Geevarghese Mar Osthathios|Geevarghese Mar Osthathios]], the President of the Mission Board of the Malankara Church, in the presence of H.G. Stephanus Mar Theodosius and H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanius (Kottayam).

*2002 The two Oriental Orthodox Churches conducted their own Syrian Christian Association meetings, and since then are functioning independently; the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] faction adopted a new constitution, against the constitution of 1934.

*2002 The two Oriental Orthodox Churches conducted their own Syrian Christian Association meetings, and since then are functioning independently; the [[Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church]] faction adopted a new constitution, against the constitution of 1934.

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*2003 Canonization of [[w:Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril|Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril]] (+1934) by the [[Church of India]], the third saint canonized by the chruch.

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*2003 Canonization of [[w:Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril|Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril]] (+1934) by the [[Church of India]], the third saint canonized by the church.

*2008 Canonization of Sister [[w:Saint Alphonsa|Alphonsa (Anna) Muttathupadath]] (+1946) in the Vatican by Pope [[Benedict XVI]] - the first person of Indian origin canonized a saint of the [[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], and the first woman Saint from India.

*2008 Canonization of Sister [[w:Saint Alphonsa|Alphonsa (Anna) Muttathupadath]] (+1946) in the Vatican by Pope [[Benedict XVI]] - the first person of Indian origin canonized a saint of the [[w:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]], and the first woman Saint from India.

*2009 The Government of India issued coins in honour of [[w:Saint Alphonsa|St. Alphonsa]], the first Christian in India to have commemorative coins issued in her honor.

*2009 The Government of India issued coins in honour of [[w:Saint Alphonsa|St. Alphonsa]], the first Christian in India to have commemorative coins issued in her honor.

*2010 February 17, the Malankara association met at Sasthamkotta under the leadership of His Holiness [[Baselios Didymos I|Baselius Marthoma Didymus I]], electing seven new Bishops.

*2010 February 17, the Malankara association met at Sasthamkotta under the leadership of His Holiness [[Baselios Didymos I|Baselius Marthoma Didymus I]], electing seven new Bishops.

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[[Image:Church of India - All Bishops.jpg|center|Bishops of the [[Church of India|Indian Orthodox Church]].]][[Image:St Thomas Christians divisions.jpg|center|Chart describing the divisions within the St. Thomas Christians of Kerala.]]

Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost, Saint Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, Persians and Indians; he ultimately reached South India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves “Christians of St. Thomas.”[note 2]

196 Bardaisan writes of Christians amongst the Parthians, Bactrians (Kushans) and other peoples in the Persian Empire .

230 Veera Raghava Chakravarthy, the King Emperor of Kerala, who had his capital at Kodungallor, granted to the Nazaranis a series of royal honors, by a proclamation engraved on copper plate called "cheped."

337-379 The Persian Church faced several severe persecutions, notably during the reign of Shapur II (309–79), from the Zoroastrian majority who accused it of Roman leanings.[note 11]

340-360 The Nasranis were granted special rights and privileges by the edict Thazhekad Sasanam; the edict was written on stone and provides proof of the early existence of St. Thomas Christians in Kerala.

345 A small group of K'nanaim merchants travelled to the Jewish trade posts at Kodungallur in Kerala and settled there; their descendants are today known in Kerala as Knanaya Nasranis(Saint Thomas Christians); they were under the leadership of Thomas of Cana (Thomas of Kynai), with Bishop Joseph of Edessa (Bp. Uraha Mar Yausef), four priests, several deacons, and 72 Syro-Aramaic Jewish families who migrated from Edessa (about 400 people).

409 Permission was formally given by the Zoroastrian King Yezdegerd to Christians to worship openly and rebuild destroyed churches, though they were not allowed to proselytize (some historians call this decree the Edict of Milan for the Assyrian Christian church).

410 The Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, also called the Council of Mar Isaac, met in AD 410 in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, capitol of the Sassanid Empire of Persia, extending official recognition to the Empire's Christian community, (known as the Church of the East after 431 AD), and established the Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon as its Catholicos, or leader, declaring him to be supreme among the Bishops of the East; this established a hierarchical Christian Church in Iran, with a patriarchate at Ctesiphon and metropolitans in the capitals of five Persian provinces; it also declared its adherence to the decisions of the Council of Nicea and subscribed to the Nicene Creed.

424 Schism begun: Formal separation of the Assyrian Church of the East ("East Syrian Church", "Persian Church", "Chaldean Syrian Church", or "Nestorian Church"), from the See of Antioch: the Synod of Dadyeshu met in Markabata of the Arabs, under the presidency of Mar Dadyeshu, proclaiming the independence of the Iranian Church from Byzantium, deciding that the Catholicos should be the sole head of the Church of the East and that no ecclesiastical authority should be acknowledged above him, referring to him for the first time as Patriarch, answerable to God alone (thus also reassuring the Sassandid monarchy that Persian Christians were not influenced by the Roman enemy).

ca.450-650 Nestorian missionary movements were very active: the Assyrian Church of the East headquarterd in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, had spread into Egypt, Syria, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Ceylon, China, and Mongolia.[note 13]

484 The Catholicos-Patriarch of the Church of the EastBabowai (457–484) was executed by Sassanid king Peroz I, for his pro-Byzantine leanings, for which he was often in conflict with other members of the anti-Byzantine Church of the East (i.e. such as Barsauma).

629 The Oriental Orthodox wing of the Church in Persia, that continued to be under the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & all the East, was reorganized, with the creation of the position of Maphrian (Exarch) of the East, holding second rank after the Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch, granting the Syrians in the Persian Empire (which was officially Nestorian) a large ecclesiastical autonomy.

708 Death of Bp. Jacob of Edessa, one of the most distinguished Syriac writers.

ca.825 Two Bishops, Mar Sabrisho and Mar Peroz (Prodh), along with several families, had migrated to Kollam; these two Bishops administered the whole of the Syrian Church, with Mar Sabrisho keeping his head quarters at Kollam, and Mar Peroz at Kodungalur; they were responsible for the construction of churches at many places in Kerala and the churches built by them were known as Kantheeshangal.

825 Copper-plates known as the Tharisapalli plates[note 14] were given by a Venad Indian King to the Nestorian Bishop Mar S(abo)r Easho (Easow-data-veeran), documenting a land grant near "Kollam" to Nestorian Christians who had taken the then famous Red Sea route to the state of Kerala; the plates document the granting of 72 royal privileges of the Nazranies, and give information about the arrival of Monks from Persia, led by the Marwan S(abo)r iso ; Commencement of the calendar known as the Malayalam calendar (Malayalam Era,Quilon Era, or Kollavarsham), a solar Sidereal calendar used in the state of Kerala (part of the Aryanised version of the older Tamil calendar which was in usage till then); Christianity as a religion takes shape in Kerala.

869 Council of Capharthutha was held in February to resolve the differences between the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (Syriac Orthodox Church) and the Maphriyan (Exarch) in Persia and India; it aimed to regulate the relationship and resolve frequent difficulties arising between the two positions, codifying eight canons dealing with the Patriarch and the Maphrian of Tigris.

883 King Alfred of England sent the Bishop of Marborne in 883 with offerings to the tomb of St. Thomas, to fulfill a vow he had made when the Danes attacked him.

988 Since in the tenth century, it seems there was no bishop for a long time, as a result of the continued request of the Kerala Nazaranis, the Metropolitan of Mesopotamia sent a bishop named Mar John in 988, another Mar John in A.D 1000, and Mar Thomas in 1056.

ca. 11th c. Antioch claims to have had jurisdiction over Kerala during the eleventh and early twelfth centuries; the Greek Patriarch of Antioch is said to have sent a Catholicos to the Melkites and another to Baghdad, the latter of whom sent bishops to India.[note 15]

ca.1100-1125 The Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church is constructed, being among the ancient and famous churches of the Malankara Church and a pilgrimage center for St. Thomas Christians, containing a relic of St. Thomas, which was brought from Mosul.[note 16]

1122 Mar John III, Metropolitan designated Patriarch of India, with his suffragens went to Constantinople, and thence to Rome, telling of miracles associated with St. Thomas that occurred in the land of India.

1329 August 9, erection of the first Roman Catholic Diocese in India, in the state of Kerala, being the Diocese of Quilon (or Kollam); re-erected on September 1, 1886.[note 18] French Dominican friar Jordanus Catalani de Severac is appointed as the first Bishop of Quilon.

1518 The "Book of Duarte Barbosa" mentions St. Thomas and his tomb at Mylapore, narrating the legends regarding the martydom of St Thomas, also that local Christians go there on pilgrimage and carry away many relics.

1552 Schism: a split occurred within the Assyrian Church of the East, when part of it joined Rome, so that besides the Catholicosate of the East another, “Chaldaean,” Patriarchate was founded, the Uniate Chaldean Catholic Church, headed by the Patriarch Mar John Sulaqa (1553-1555); apparently both parties sent Bishops to India.

ca.1556 Assyrian Church of the East Catholicos, Simeon VII Denkha (Shemʿon VII Ishoyahb (1538-58)) sent a prelate to India, in the person of Mar Abraham, who was later to be the last Syrian Metropolitan of Malabar, after having gone over to the “Chaldaean” side; the Roman Catholic “Chaldaean” Patriarch Abdisho IV (1555-1567) sent Mar Joseph to Malabar as a “Chaldaean” bishop, accompanied by another “Chaldaean” bishop, Mar Eliah.

1560 The Goa Inquisition was established in the Indian state of Goa and the rest of the Portuguese empire in Asia.[note 20]

1577 Vaippicotta Seminary of the Jesuits started.

1579 Augustinians reached Cochin.

1585 In a Goan Synod it was decided to introduce the Latin liturgy and practices among the Thomas Christians.

1597 Mar Abraham, the last Metropolitan Archbishop appointed by the Chaldean Patriarch, died.

1599 June 20-June 26, The Synod of Diamper, convened by the Portuguese archbishop Aleixo de Meneses, issued 200 decrees, including removing the Malabarese from the jurisdiction of the Chaldean (Nestorian) patriarch, severing their direct ties with the Assyrian Church of the East, and placing them under the Latin-rite Portuguese; Latinized the liturgy; decreed priestly celibacy; and introduced the Inquisition; the synod enforced severe restrictions on the faith of the Syriac Saint Thomas Christians, and the practice of using Syriac/Aramaic (Persecution of Syrian Christians).

1606 Pope Paul V, in elevating San Thome of Mylapore to a cathedral, declared that “there lay buried the body of St. Thomas.”

1653 January 3, Coonan Cross Oath at Mattancherry, Cochin, by which all connections with the Portuguese Roman Catholics and Jesuits (Roman Catholic supremacy) was rejected by the St Thomas Christians; about 25,000 Saint Thomas Christians and 633 clergy led by Archdeacon Thomas declared independence against the foreign aggression, by holding on to a rope which was tied around the stone cross in front of the church in Mattancherry, and taking an oath rejecting and pubicly avowing the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church over them; Archdeacon Thomas was consecrated by 12 priest elders as Mar Thoma I, the first bishop of the Malankara Church.[note 21]

1653-1670 Mar Thoma I, also known as Valia Mar Thoma, was the first bishop of the Malankara Church.

ca.1659-1663 The Dutch East India Company conquered the entire Malabar Coast from the Portuguese, almost entirely driving them from the west coast of India; when news of a peace agreement between Portugal and the Netherlands reached Asia in 1663, Goa was the only remaining Portuguese city on the west coast.

1661 Pope Alexander VII sent Syrian Bp. Sebastiani at the head of a Carmelite delegation to Malabar, in order to establish a hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Chaldean (formerly Nestorian) rite under Rome, in order to pacify the distressed St. Thomas Christians.

1663 Schism:Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is formed, when most of the St. Thomas Christians (84 out of 116 communities) cut their ancient ties with the churches in Persia and joined the Roman Catholic Communion in 1663 AD, with the ordination of Chandy Bishop (Alexander de Campo) as the first Syrian Vicar Apostolic Malpan of Malabar; this section was called the Old Party (Pazhayakuttukur); the rest of the Malankara communities (32) joined the Syrian Jacobite (Monophysite) Church, brought to Malabar in 1665 by Bishop Gregorios from Jerusalem; the Dutch East India Company captures Cochin from the Portuguese (i.e. from 1503 to 1663, Fort Kochi was ruled by Portugal).

St. Gregorios Abdul Jaleel of Jerusalem (+1681), playing a crucial role in the defense of Oriental Orthodoxy in India.

1665 "Jacobite" bishop, Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel of Jerusalem came to India, confirming the Episcopal consecration of Mar Thoma I as the head of the Orthodox Church in India; this was a new beginning in the history of the modern Malankara Church; the Western Syrian language and Antiochene liturgy was adopted in their church; those who accepted Mar Gregory became known as the New Party (Puthankuttukar); thus started the connection with the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, in 1665.[note 23]

1688-1728 Mar Thoma IV; during his period the Church passed through a number of persecutions.

1728-1765 Mar Thoma V; during his tenure a number of Bps. from Antioch arrived.

1748 Mar Ivanios a Bp. from Antioch arrived; he lived in the Mulanthuruthy Church and taught Syriac to the Deacons; his teachings were unacceptable to the Malankara Church and so in 1751 he was banished from Kerala; before leaving for Antioch, Mar Ivanios ordained Kattumangattu Abraham and Geevarghese as priests, who later became the founding fathers of Malabar Independent Syrian Church in 1772.

1770 To avoid a split in the Church Mar Thoma VI accepted re-consecration and the title Dionysius from Antiochan bishops.

1772 Schism: West Syrians under the leadership of Abraham Mar Koorilose, Metropolitan of Malankara, formed the Malabar Independent Syrian Church, splitting from the main body of India's Malankara Church over concerns about the authority of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.[note 25]

1806 The Marquis of Wellesley, the British Governor General of India, Cecil Cherian, sent the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, an Anglican priest, to conduct research into the life of the ancient Church of St.Thomas in India; Rev. Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited Mar Thoma VI and made arrangement for the translation of the Bible into Malayalam - Marthoma VI gave him the manuscript of the Bible written in the oldest Syrian, and this manuscript was later deposited in the public library of the University of Cambridge.

1816-1816 Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious I (Mar Thoma X) (Dionysious II), was the Metropolitan only for nine months, but he made lasting contributions to the Malankara church; he was able to keep up the traditions, improve the knowledge of the people and decree that the assets of the Metropolitan would be assets of the Church; with him, the reign of Marthoma Metran came to an end, and the power was transferred to the Malankara Metropolitan.

1825 The Church of England's Bp. of Calcutta Reginald Heber performed the first ordination of an Indian, Abdul Masih (Servant of Christ), for mission work in India.[note 26]

1852-1877 Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan (Mar Thoma XIII), a pro-protestant reformist; during his time Reformation of the Church became strong; one cleric who objected to the Reformation (Ouseph Kathanar from Kunnamkulam) went to Antioch, and was consecrated as Joseph Mar Dionysius on April 3, 1865; Mathews Mar Athanasius' successor was one Thomas Mar Athanasius (Mar Thoma XIV) (1877-1893), the first Metropolitan of the schismatic Mar Thoma church in 1877, a Reformed West-Syrian Rite (Protestant Oriental) church, in communion with the Anglican Church.

1865-1909 Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II (Dionysius V), a courageous, popular, spiritual leader, who guided his followers through one of the most difficult times in the history of Malankara Church.

1876 The Council of Mulanthuruthy (of the Malankara Church) is convened at the historic Mulanthuruthy Marthoman church, presided over by Patriarch Ignatius Peter IV (who had been summoned to assist in efforts against the inroads of Protestantism that were supported by the British), declaring that the Malankara Church accepted the supremacy of the Patriarch and that it would keep the Jacobite faith of the Antiochians; this synod thus represented the inauguration of an official relationship of a section of the Indian Orthodox Church with the Patriarch of the West Syrian Church; another section however representing several churches did not participate, saying that this was against the historical status of the Malankara Church.[note 27]

1876 Schism: the Mar Thoma Church[note 28] (Anglican Communion) came into being under Thomas Mar Athanasious, who was excommunicated by the Jacobite Patriarch; they were known as Reformed Jacobites before the group took the name of Mar Thoma Church, introducing many changes based on Protestant doctrine.

1929-1964 Baselios Geevarghese II, the 3rd Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (had both titles, after 1934).

ca.1930's Roman Catholic Vellalar Christians (Trichy) separated themselves temporarily from their church because of caste quarells, and employed Orthodox West Syrian Indian Priests from Kerala to conduct their worship services.

1931 Patriarch Elias III came to Malankara at the invitation of the then British Viceroy, Lord Irvin, to resolving the schism that had erupted in the Malankara Church; the Thrikkunnathu Seminary is opened (operating from 1931-1977), being a notable Malankara teaching facility for clergy in the northern dioceses of the Indian Orthodox Church, and the only full seminary for Jacobite Syrian Christians (later noted as the "headquarters" of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India).

1932 Death of Patriarch Elias III, the only Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch who is entombed in Kerala, India; the monastery where he is entombed is a renowned pilgrim centre, known as Manjanikkara Dayara.

1934 Establishment of the Constitution of the Orthodox Church in India as an autocephalous Church, linked to the Orthodox Syrian Church of the Patriarch of Antioch; death of Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril, Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church; from 1934 onwards, the two offices of Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan were united in one person, known as the Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan.

1947 The Dominion of India gains its independence from the United Kingdom, as British India is dissolved; a largely Hindu India and a Muslim Pakistan are created by partitions of the subcontinent, with Punjab and Bengal divided along religious-demographic boundaries between the two.

St. Thomas Stamp Issue by the Govt of India (1964).

Stamp Issue by the Gov't of India comemmorating the 1900th anniversary of St. Thomas' martyrdom (72-1972).

1952 Immediately after the "All Kerala Celebrations of the 19th Century of the Landing of St. Thomas in India,"Cardinal Tisserant brought a part of St. Thomas' relics back to India, with the main portion enshrined at Kodungalloor where the Apostle first set foot in India, and the other portion at Mylapore where he died.

1956 Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie visited Kerala, gifting the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. George ("Cheppad Church") with a Gold Ethiopian Cross and a Holy Bible with gold engravings written in Amharic.

1958 Unification of the Malankara Church again (lasting from 1958-1975), after the split in 1912: on September 12, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India recognized the validity of the Catholicate and unanimously declared that the Patriarch of Antioch does not have any authority over the Malankara church and that the Indian church is completely free under the Catholicos of the East; by an accord, Syrian Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III affirmed his canonical acceptance of the Catholicate as well as the 1934 Constitution of the Indian Orthodox Church; the two factions of the Malankara Church, viz; Jacobite and Orthodox, re-united.

1964 Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Ya`qub III visited India and consecrated Mor Augen Thimotheos as the Catholicose of the East; thus 'Mar Baselios Augen I', the Metropolitan of Kandanad diocese, became the first “canonically” ordained Catholicose/Maphriyono of the East from India (from the Jacobite point of view); the government of India brought out a stamp of St. Thomas, in connection with the Bombay International Eucharistic Congress and the visit of Pope Paul VI to India in 1964.

1990 Death of Fr. Athanasios Anthides, first Greek Orthodox Missionary to India (1980-1990), suceeded a year later by priest-monk Fr. Ignatios Sennis, who came to Calcutta to continue the mission (1991-2004).

1995 June 20, the Supreme Court of India unequivocally declared that "The Patriarch of Antioch was undoubtedly acknowledged and recognised by all the members of the Malankara Church as the supreme head of their Church", implying that the Indian Orthodox Catholicate is part of the Syriac Orthodox Church and is not autocephalous.

2002 The two Oriental Orthodox Churches conducted their own Syrian Christian Association meetings, and since then are functioning independently; the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church faction adopted a new constitution, against the constitution of 1934.

Notes

↑Several places such as Ethiopia, Arabia Felix etc. once went by the name India. One can not exclude South India any way from this India. South India in particular was known to the early Greeks and Romans. A number of Roman coins, even those of the Republican period are occasionally discovered in Malabar and other parts of South India. Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose had knowledge about the customs of the Brahmins who certainly were inhabitants of South India. Saint Ephrem, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Saint Ambrose, Gaudentius, Saint Jerome, Paulinus of Nola, several ecclesiasticl calenders, martyrologies and other works explicity connect Saint Thomas with India.

↑St. Thomas preached there for some years, after which, becoming aware of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he went back to Jerusalem; on his second journey, the Apostle came to Malabar, established the Church and preached there for many years; then he went to the Coromandel Coast, where he died a martyr at Calamina (Mylapore) by the order of Masdai, king of that place.

↑According to a very ancient tradition, Thomas had ordained two bishops, four rambans, seven priests and twenty-one deacons - that priesthood continued in unbroken succession from generation to generation in the families of Pakalomattam and Sankarapuri. Historians are of the opinion that Thomas established the early liturgy here in Aramaic (Syriac), since in those days, Greek was the chief language of the West, and Syriac, that of the East; also, on account of their close contact with the Jews, Aramaic was not unfamiliar to the Keralites. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony (Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally). The Kerala Church. Changanacherry Kerala, India.).

↑The body of the Apostle was buried near the Mylapore beach where the San Thome Cathedral now stands. The relics were taken to Edessa in the third or early fourth century. When that place fell into the hands of the Mohammedans, they were moved to Island of Chios in 1141, and from there to Ortona in Italy in 1257, where they remain under the main altar of the St. Thomas Cathedral. In 1952, immediately after the “All Kerala Celebrations of the 19th Century of the Landing of St. Thomas in India,” Cardinal Tisserant brought a part of the relics back to this land; its main portion is enshrined at Kodungalloor where the Apostle first set foot in India and the other portion at Mylapore where he died.

↑Malankara is a cognate word of the place name Maliankara, a place near Muziris, where St. Thomas the Apostle first landed, in the Indian state of Kerala. It was the headquarters of the Church from the first century. The original liturgical language used in the Malankara Church was Aramaic and Hebrew; later this was replaced by Syriac.

↑A Brahmin conjurer named Manickavachakar went around the country decrying Christianity. He was able to arouse the feelings of the Hindus against Christianity, to obstruct further spread of the religion and even to draw some converts back to Hinduism. Alarmed at this, the Kerala Christians sent a deputation to Demitrius, Bishop of Alexandria, requesting him to send a learned doctor to refute the arguments of Manickavachakar and to confirm the Christians in faith. Consequently, Pantaenus, the learned professor of the famous seminary of Alexandria, came to Kerala in 190. He defeated Manickavachakar in debate, brought back most of the apostatized to Christianity and gave a new awakening and spirit to the Kerala Church. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony (Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally). The Kerala Church. Changanacherry Kerala, India.).

↑From the later half of the third century, the Kerala Church had relations with Persia; it seems that their Bishops came from Persia during that period. Mar John, Metropolitan of Persia and India, subscribed his name and signature to the decrees of the Synod of Nicaea in 325. (Nirappel, Rev. Dr. Antony (Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally). The Kerala Church. Changanacherry Kerala, India.).

↑At the Council of Nicea during the writing of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, Mar John, Archbishop of India in his signature to the decrees of the Council, gave his title as “Prelate of Metropolitan of Persia and the Bishop of Great India.”

↑In 337 Shāpūr sent his forces across the Tigris River, the uneasy frontier, to recover Armenia and Mesopotamia, which his predecessors had lost to the Romans. Until 350 the conflict raged in northern Mesopotamia, with neither side a clear-cut victor. Shortly after 337, Shāpūr took an important policy decision. Although the state religion of the Sāsānian Empire was Mazdaism (Zoroastrianism), Christianity flourished within its boundaries. The Roman emperor Constantine the Great had granted toleration to Christians in 313. With the subsequent Christianization of the empire, Shāpūr, mistrustful of a potential force of a fifth column at home while he was engaged abroad, ordered the persecution and forcible conversion of the Christians; this policy was in force throughout his reign.

"Some western historians have made sweeping statements that at this period all the oriental churches fell into the Nestorian heresy. This, however, is entirely wrong especially with regard to the Malabar Church. About that time the Catholics of Seleucia became Nestorian and severed connection with [the rest of] Persia; but [the rest of] Persia continued in communion with the Pope. The Chaldaeans of Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia were Catholics; and they defended the Church from Nestorianism. Simeon, Bishop of the BethArsam in Persia, Bishop St. Isaac of Niniveh, Bishop Sahaduna of Garmiah and John Saba of Delaita bear witness to this fact. The Malabar Church, administered by bishops sent by the Metropolitans of Persia was preserved from heresy."

In addition, the Wikipedia article on the Maphrian (Exarch) of the Syriac Church of Antioch (Jacobite), states that:

"Even though the Church in Persia had officially accepted Nestorius as a Church father, a substantial group of Christians in Mosul, Niniveh and Tigris (Tagrit) continued to keep their loyalty to the old faith."

↑Nestorius and his followers fled from persecution in the Byzantine Empire after the Council of Ephesus 431 banned him and his teachings. They migrated to Persia and from there launched one of the most significant missionary movements. By the end of the 8th century they had spread to China and from Central Asia through Afghanistan to India, probably becoming the most numerous church in the world by the 9th century. However, the Mongol invasions and the consolidation of Islam throughout these areas have now reduced this church to its present-day numbers of around 100,000.

↑The Mulanthuruthy church was the venue of the famous Mulanthuruthy Synod in 1876 convened by the Patriarch of Antioch Peter III. Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Yakoob III also visited this church in 1964. And the present Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas visited the Church twice, during 1982 and 2000.

↑The Syriac word Maphryānā, rendered as mafriano, also Anglicized as Maphrian, literally signifying 'one who bears fruit', i.e. 'a consecrator', is used to designate the prelate who, in the Syriac Orthodox Church, holds the second rank after the patriarch among the Syriac Orthodox Christians (Miaphysitism), somewhat comparable to an Exarch.

↑Pope John XXII (in captivity in Avignon) erected Quilon as the first Diocese in the whole of Indies, as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia, through the decree Romanus Pontifix.

↑Between 1490 and 1503 the Church of the East responded to the request of a mission to Mesopotamia from the East Syrian Christians of the Malabar Coast of India for bishops to be sent out to them. In 1490 two Christians from Malabar arrived in Gazarta to petition the patriarch Shemʿon IV (Basidi) to consecrate a bishop for their church. Two monks of the monastery of Mar Awgin were consecrated bishops and were sent to India. Shemʿon IV died in 1497, to be followed by the short-reigned Shemʿon V, who died in 1502. His successor Eliya V (1502-03) consecrated three more bishops for India in April 1503. These bishops sent a report to the patriarch from India in 1504, describing the condition of the East Syrian church in India and reporting the recent arrival of the Portuguese. Eliya had already died by the time this letter arrived in Mesopotamia, and it was received by his successor, Shemʿon VI (1504–38). (MSS Vat Syr 204a and Paris BN Syr 25)

↑The Inquisition was established to punish relapsed New Christians – Jews and Muslims who converted to Catholicism, as well as their descendants – who were now suspected of practicing their ancestral religion in secret; as well as to Indian converts from Hinduism or Islam, who were thought to have returned to their original ways. It was used against Indian Catholics and Hindus as an instrument of social control, as well as a method of confiscating victims' property and enriching the Inquisitors. In The Goa Inquisition, Indian historian Anant Priolkar provides the most comprehensive account of the Goa Inquisition held by Portuguese colonialists in Goa, India, in the 16th century, and details the wholesale massacres of Hindus, Muslims, Indian Jews and non-Catholic Indian Christians by the Portuguese inquisitors.

↑The Church of India maintains that this was a spiritual connection between sister churches at first, but gradually the Syrian Patriarchs of Antioch began to exercise control and claim jurisdiction over the Indian church. Therefore again, the Indian Christians protested against foreign domination. Thus, by 1912, as a symbol of freedom, autocephaly and apostolic identity were declared, the Catholicosate was established, and an Indian Orthodox Metropolitan was elected as the head (Catholicos) of the Malankara Church. Another group continued to maintain allegiance to the patriarchal claims and therefore litigation in courts occurred.

↑When a Bishop of the Malankara Church was consecrated by a Bishop of another church he was given the episcopal title Dionysious.
Dionysious I, II, III, IV - were consecrated by bishops of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church.
Dionysious V, VI - were consecrated by Patriarch of Antioch.

↑At the close of the 19th century, some of them fell under the influence of Anglican missionaries and established the [[w:Mar Thomite Church, which introduced many doctrinal and liturgical changes of a Western Protestant character.

↑The very first Anglican ordination was a native of Ceylon, ordained for work in Ceylon (Sri Lanka); the second, Abdul Masih, was therefore the first Indian ordained for work in India.

↑Two strong groups were in the church at this time: the one owed allegiance to Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius (1877-1893), and supported independence and purification of the church (the Metran Kakshi faction); the other under the control of Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysious II (1865-1909), spearheaded Orthodoxy and subservience to the Patriarch of Antioch (the Bava Kakshi. faction).In 1877 Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius thus became the first Metropolitan of the new Mar Thoma Church (1877-1893), a group that split from the Malankara Church and was originally known as "Reformed Jacobites", of the West Syrian Rite (i.e. Protestant Oriental, in communion with the Anglican Church).

↑Mar Thoma or Marthoma is Aramaic, meaning Saint Thomas. Members of this church are often referred to as Marthomites.

↑ The reasons for this break with the papacy were political rather then religious. From the sixteenth century there had existed a concordat between the Holy See and the King of Portugal which allowed the latter to nominate Bishops to the diocese of Latin Rite India, as well as other colonies which had formally been Portuguese colonies. The arrangement was known as the Patrondo (Patronage). By the second half of the nineteenth century it had become obvious that it was high time for Patrondo to be abolished.

↑"On January 2, 1887, Pope Leo XIII set up a new Latin hierarchy for India and Ceylon, with the bishops (except for the province of (Goa) directly dependent on the Congregation of Propaganda. This change aroused considerable indignation because there still existed strong sentimental link between Indian Catholics and Portugal. Many native priests were indignant at being transferred to jurisdictions of French or Italian bishops.Thus came into being what was called the 'Patrando Association'. Its leaders petitioned King Luis I of Portugal, to use his influence at Rome to have the royal patronage restored. On February 10, 1888, a Goan priest, who had been a Brahmin, Antonio Francisco-Xavier Alvarez, was elected by the Association as first bishop of the schismatic church. He applied to Mar Dionysios V, Jacobite Metropolitan of Malankara since 1865, to consecrate him, but with no result. His appeal to Mar Ignatius Peter III, Jacobite Patriarch of Antioch was more successful." (Old Catholic Church of the United States. Credo: The Catechism of the Old Catholic Church. iUniverse, 2004. p.391.)

↑Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho II (1906-1915) had deposed Patriarch Ignatius Abdul Masih II (1895-1905) and usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch from him. In 1911 Patriarch Ignatius Abded Aloho (Mar Abdulla) came to Malankara, and excommunicated Malankara Metropolitan Vattasseril Mar Divannasios. To ward off the undue interference of Patriarch Abdulla in the administration of the Indian Church, Fr. P.T. Geevarghese with the blessing of Vattasseril Mar Divannasios, contacted Patriarch Abded M’siha, the Patriarch of Antioch from whom Mar Abdulla usurped the Patriarchal See of Antioch, and invited him to visit Malankara and to establish a Catholicate there. This created a split in the church in 1912, into the two groups, with some claiming that the relocation of the Catholicate to India was without authority from the Universal Syriac Orthodox Synod, thus causing the century long dispute in the Malankara Church. (See 1958).

By Indian historian Anant Priolkar. Provides the most comprehensive account of the Goa Inquisition held by Portuguese colonialists in Goa, India in the 16th century and details the wholesale massacres of Hindus, Muslims, Indian Jews and non-Catholic Indian Christians by the Portuguese inquisitors.